Lynne M. Thomas has announced that she is stepping down as the Editor-in-Chief of Apex, two years after she replaced Catherynne Valente in the position. Along with her, Managing Editor Michael Damian Thomas will also be stepping down. Both will work closely with the incoming editor as the magazine continues to be published by Jason Sizemore of Apex Publications. The Thomases’ resignations will be effective following the December 2013 issue.

Science fiction author Orson Scott Card has been appointed to serve a two-year term as a trustee for UNC-TV public broadcasting network by the North Carolina state legislature. The 22-member Board of Trustees, which meets quarterly, serves as an advisory council to the Board of Governors, which holds UNC-TV’s broadcast licenses and is responsible for the organization. UNC-TV produces many hours of original broadcasting each year.

Comic fan Jeffrey Babbit (b.1951) died on September 9, one day after being assaulted in Union Square in New York. Babbit was a frequent customer at the nearby Forbidden Planet and had attended every NY Comic Con. A retired train conductor, he was the sole caretaker for his 94 year old mother. According to police reports, he was attacked by 31 year old Lashawn Marten, who had announced he was going to punch the next white person he saw in the face. After being hit, Babbit fell to the ground and died the next day at Bellevue Hospital. Marten, who also hit two men who came to Babbit’s rescue, is being held on assault charges which will likely be upgraded.

Detroit author Adrienne Maree Brown has received a $20,000 grant from the Knight Foundation to conduct a series of workshops for a cross-section of Detroit residents to write science fiction stories to be published in a series of ‘zines related to the city’s future. Brown will also interview other Detroiters for her original stories. Brown’s award was just one of 56 awards totaling $2.1 million as part of the Detroit’s Knight Arts Challenge.

Author Patricia Anthony (b.1947) died in late July or early August. Anthony began publ;ishing in 1987 with the story “Blood Brothers” and went on to have a career as a novelist before trying to break into screenwriting. Her first three novels, Cold Allies, Brother Termite, and Conscience of the Beagle were all published in 1993, with four more novels and a collection published by 1998.

Fan Bob Booth (b.1957) died on September 6. Booth founded Necon and published The Big Book of Necon in 2009. In 1975, he was one of the founders of World Fantasy Con ans sat on the board of directors until 1990. Booth also published some short fiction, including the stories “Still Life,” “The Play’s the Thing,” and “Old Friends Never Die.”

Cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov, who was slated to serve as Commander of the International Space Station beginnning in March 2015, has announced his resignation. According to Lonchakov, he found a better job than working in space and will be officially discharged on September 14. Lonchakov oined the cosmonaut corps in 1997 and flew three spaceflights to the International Space Station. In 2001, he flew on STS-100 aboard Endeavour and in 2008, he flew on the 100th manned Soyuz mission. He has spent 200 days, 19 hours in space.

Author A. C. Crispin (b.1950) died on September 6. Earlier this week, Crispin, who was suffering from cancer, announced that she was terminal. She was named a Grandmaster by the International Association of Media Tie-In Writers earlier this year. her novels include tie-ins in numerous series, including Star Wars, Alien, Star Trek, V, and The Pirates of the Caribbean. In addition, Crispin co-wrote several novels in her original Starbridge series. In addition to her work as an author, Crispin co-founded and chaired Writer Beware, an organization to warn authors of scams. Crispin was married to SF author Michael Capobianco.

The LoneStarCon 3 Masquerade was held on August 31 at the Worldcon in San Antonio, TX. There were twenty-nine entries. The Workmanship Judges were John Hertz and Michele Weinstein. The Presentation Judges were John O’Halloran, Pierre Pettinger, and Sandy Pettinger.